Progress in research of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide imbalance mediated retinal neurodegeneration

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺ ) is a critical mediator in biochemical reactions.It serves both as a coenzyme in reduction-oxidation reactions, and as a cosubstrate for other enzymes in molecular signal transduction.The homeostasis of intracellular synthesis and consumption of NAD⁺ can directly affect a variety of biological processes, such as metabolism, circadian entrainment and aging.It is demonstrated that NAD⁺ imbalance plays a key role in central neuronal death and axonal degeneration, and the retina is an extension of the central nervous system.In recent years, the effect of NAD⁺ imbalance on retinal neurodegeneration has been confirmed.The mechanism of NAD⁺ imbalance coupling retinal neurodegeneration is complex, which may involve mitochondrial destruction or dysfunction, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) over-activation, and sirtuins family function abnormalities.Analysis of the relationship between NAD⁺ imbalance and retinal neurodegeneration can help to further elucidate the molecular mechanism of retinal neurodegeneration and provide new ideas for the treatment of retinal neurodegenerative diseases.This review summarized current opinions on the relationship between NAD⁺metabolism and retinal neurodegeneration.